Somali FM calls for end to UN arms embargo

Foreign Minister for Somalia, Ahmed Awad Isse, addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at the United Nations headquarters. (Frank Franklin II/Associated Press)

Somalia’s foreign minister is telling the U.N. General Assembly that his young government has made significant strides in fighting violent al-Shabab militants, and called on the world body to lift its long-standing arms embargo.

Ahmed Awad Isse says young people are no longer joining al-Shabab as they used to because “that ideology is no longer popular.”

In his address on Saturday, Isse said the Somali government has been engaging with religious leaders, young people, the elderly and women to “turn the tide against the twisted ideology of hate and religious intolerance.”

Isse also notes that many, including some of the militant group’s senior commanders, have taken the government’s amnesty offer and surrendered peacefully.

He said lifting the arms embargo would level the field in Somalia’s battle with extremist groups. He noted that “stronger fighting capacity would enable us to have the upper hand.”

Al-Shabab is trying to establish an Islamic state in Somalia, and is the deadliest Islamic extremist group in sub-Saharan Africa.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

At least four people, including two security guards, were killed in an explosion outside the Prophet’s Mosque in Saudi Arabia’s Medina, according to the sources. Pictures on social media show smoke billowing from a fire [...]

Garowe-(Puntland Mirror) Today, the business centers in Garowe are closed, according to Puntland Mirror reporter. The reporter who visited the business centers in the Puntland capital, Garowe, reported that the most business centers are closed. [...]

NEWS IN PICTURES

About US

Puntland Mirror is a website news provider based in Puntland’s capital, Garowe, Somalia. Puntland Mirror is an independent online source providing you the latest update stories from Puntland, Somalia and around the World.